Do you think Self Help Books are actually helpful?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
January 13, 2007 7:48pm CST
I used to read a lot of self help books. A lot of times, I found they were really so generalized that they couldn't help me.
Currently I'm reading "Get Off the Fence!" for tips on how to make major decisions. So far, it seems to actually be pretty good and quite helpful. But I've found a lot weren't.
What do you think, can self help books actually help people improve themselves?
2 people like this
6 responses
@emarie (5442)
• United States
14 Jan 07
well, it worked for my husband, but not for me because i never finish them because i don't like reading that much, especially if it doesn't interest me. i've tried the Tony Robbin help tapes and cds but never finished them. i think it depends on if the person put the knowledge in the books and tape to good use. some people read without understand. honetly, these books just guide people and give them suggestions on how they can make their OWN life better. normally if you follow the ideas things will change, most of the books talk about 'way of thinking' and everyone knows if you change your way of thinking on some things then it will help your life.
2 people like this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
14 Jan 07
That's a problem for me too, not finishing them. I read the 3 books by David Peltzer (author of The Child Called It), but only got through part of his self help book.
I've been trying to get through the audio of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and I'm finding it pretty boring and way too generalized unfortunately. But with audio, at least I will get through it usually because I can listen while driving or working.
I agree that a lot of people won't have enough reading comphrension to get it. And sometimes, the authors don't really have the solutions on changing your thinking patterns. But there are some good ones out there that at least some parts can be useful.
2 people like this
@baldingeagle69 (749)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I have actually read a few to fruition. Most, even those that I haven't finished help a little. The point to self-help is that you actually have to force yourself to change your habits in order to implement the ideas in the books. That is where I seem to have the problem.
Who is the Author of "Get off the Fence", it sounds like a book that might be helpful to me?
@baldingeagle69 (749)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Thank you for the info I will try to get my hands on a copy in the near future. My list and my pile is gorwing faster than I could possibly get through in the next month.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
19 Jan 07
I know how that is... I have more books than I could read in a year currently!
I'm on step 5 now and the book is still good though. So so far, I could say I still recommend it. :)
It takes me forever to read, but this one has a good style to it. Not boring and not too high of a reading level that it's difficult to understand.
@Script (592)
• Australia
14 Jan 07
I believe self help books can help the people that read them. But I am a believer that you find the books that you need to read at the right time. I don't read a lot of self help books as such, but I do read a lot of spirituality books. I just finished reading The Tenth Insight and it was a great book to read to bring in the New Year.
And I was given a copy of a dvd called The Secret to watch just last week and it blew me away. It's mainly about the law of attraction and how we create the things that are in our life. It was amazing!!! I'd recommend you check it out if you can find it. I think that anyone that watches this dvd can't help but come away inspired.
@sassymoon (28)
• New Zealand
19 Jan 07
I have read quite a lot of self help books. There are some which are full drivel, but there are also a few that really make you think, and make you look at a particular thing in a different way. In this sense, they're helpful. We can't really make generalizations on an entire genre of books, only on individual titles.
1 person likes this
@Endormir08 (32)
• United States
29 Jan 07
I love self help books b/c they tend to open your mind a little bit more. Currently I'm reading "You'll See it When You Believe it" by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. This book is absolutely sensational. It's about personal transformation through thought, oneness, abundance, detatchment, synchronicity, and forgiveness. For anyone that is stuck and equally confused, I suggest reading this book. It really helped me with the clarity and sorting things out one by one.
